Home Bar Design Ideas for the Modern Bachelor 

Invite the guys over for an evening of watching sports, playing cards or just hanging out in your man cave. Or, plan an elegant evening at home for one or two guests to relax and chat over glasses of chilled beverages at your home bar. These home bar ideas from Pottery Barn are designed to help you raise the bar on entertaining. Browse through and pick your favorite ideas for small spaces, like a corner bar in your dining room or even a hall closet. It's also easy to add some extra panache to a larger bar space. Whether it’s in your basement or living room, your home bar can become even more spectacular with a little inspiration. 

A Space-Saving Corner Bar

A bar located in the corner of a room lets you take advantage of unused space. It also adds a charming touch to the room's decor. Take advantage of these design elements by nestling the bar, so it's under the railing of a staircase or offsetting a closet door. Choose a space-saving square, an L-shaped or a curved bar to maximize a corner. 

Hall Closet and Pantry Bar

Here's the perfect way to make use of an empty hall closet or that pantry that you don't use. Add some fixtures inside, like stylish sconces on the walls. Create a low surface space with floating shelves above. When you want to hide it away, simply close the pantry or closet door. Then, when you're ready to entertain, open the door and turn on the lights in your own mini-bar. Install the bar in the lower part of the closet or pantry. Take advantage of high shelving to store glasses, beverage bottles and snacks. This is also a great space for creating a self-serve bar for guests to use.

Whole-Room Bars 

If you have an entire room to devote, add a game table or music center to your home bar. Some popular game ideas include billiards, cards or an electronic game station in an entertainment center. Or, go big with a few classic arcade games along a wall. These ideas are all conversation starters. They keep guests engaged. Add casual seating around the perimeter of the room to make group chats easier. 

Patio Bars

Turn the patio or back yard into a outdoor bar area. Set up furniture and a bar designed to stand up to the elements. Decorate the area with beach-themed pieces like large shells and tiki lights. Choose shatterproof drinkware and snack trays that won't break. If space allows, add some plush, cushioned loungers and side tables for relaxing in the fresh air. Install a big beach umbrella to keep things cool. Then, just enjoy the soothing outdoor vibe that comes from spending a fun day or evening relaxing outdoors with friends. 

Garage Bar

Using an empty garage as a spot for a bar lets you take advantage of space that might otherwise be empty or serve as a storage room. Take advantage of a garage theme by hanging up automotive wall hangings, shiny hubcaps and plenty of mirrors. Serve drinks and snacks on shiny trays that double as decorations when you aren't using them. Add weather-resistant outdoor rugs and furniture to make the space more comfortable. Then, enjoy hanging out with friends and entertaining.

Bar Carts for Extra Small Spaces

When your space is limited, choose simple home bar decor. Use a bar cart or a serving hutch as the bar. Decorate the wall behind the cart or hutch with travel prints or botanical prints and some framed mirrors. Put a vase filled with dried foliage or a potted plant on the cart for a natural touch. Use baskets and decorative containers on the cart to store drink bottles, utensils and glassware. This lets you take advantage of your available space while keeping everything you need neat and organized.